Duck strap



Nov. 2, 1948. H, A. SLEEP 2,452,692

DUCK STRAP Filed Deo. 2'2, 1945 ILL gr INVENTOR. Herbe/ A. S/eep ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 2, 1948 l gaat UNITED STATES PATENT @EHC 2 Claims.

It is further proposed to use D-shaped brackets v for suspending the laces from the back for flexibility, the straight portion of the bracket being hinged to the back and the rounded portion being used for suspending a plurality of laces therefrom.

It is still further proposed, in a modified form of the invention, to continue the fastening means for the bracket across the length of the back to form a one-piece handle for the back.

And finally, it is proposed to form slots in the free ends of the laces to serve as loops in which the necks of the birds may be received.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the specification proceeds, and the novel features of my duck strap will be fully defined in the claims attached hereto.

The preferred forms of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of my duck strap, portions of some of the laces being broken away and other laces being omitted;

Figure 2, a side view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3, a plan view of a modied form of my duck strap, the laces being omitted; and

Figure 4, a side view of the duck strap shown in Figure 3.

While I have shown only the preferred forms of my invention, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the claims attached hereto,

`without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, my duck strap consists essentially of three different parts, namely, the back I, the brackets 2, and the laces 3.

The back l is preferably made of leather, and is constructed for convenient carrying over the shoulder of the hunter. It is substantially oval or elliptical in form, with curved side edges 4 causing the back to expand in width toward the center for distributing the weight over the shoul- 2 der, and with straight and parallel end edges 5.

The brackets 2 are fiat and B-shaped, as shown, and are attached to the ends of the back by means of straps 6 which are preferably made of leather and pass through the loops of the brackets to be secured upon opposite faces of the back b-y means of rivets 'i or other fastening means.

The straps pass through the loops of the bracket in such a manner as to bring the straight portions of the brackets opposite the ends of the back, with slight clearance and with perfect freedom of swinging movement.

The laces 3 are preferably braided upon the curved sides of the D-shaped brackets, as at 8, the laces being formed with double slits in their central sections to allow each end to be passed through the slit of the other end for firmly holding the laces to the brackets. This allows the laces to be easily removed fo-r replacement by new ones.

The outer or free ends of the laces are preferably slit longitudinally, as at 9, to form loops whereby the duck or other wild game may be suspended by their necks.

The underface of the back is comfortably padded with wool-skin lining, as at Id, to ,Cushion the weght on the shoulder of the hunter.

In the modified form of Figures S e a handle strap l I is arranged lengthwise over the back, and the ends of the strap are guided through the D-shaped brackets 2 and folded back upon the underside of the back. I"lhe ends of the strap are secured upon the back by means of rivets l which extend through the folded end sections and the ends of the back. The rivets thus serve to anchor the handle strap to the back and to form supporting loops i2 for the D-brackets.

It Will be noted that the length of the handle strap between the anchoring rivets l exceeds the corresponding length of the back so as to cause the handle to form an arc over the back whereby the gripping of the handle is facilitated.

In use, the strap may be easily slung over the shoulder of the hunter. The width of the back distributes the weight over the shoulder, and the padding cushions the load.

The D-shaped brackets are freelysuspended from the back to lie smoothly against the front and rear of the shoulder.

The heads of the fowl may be easily guided through the slits 9 for suspending the fowl by the necks. In case the laces become worn, they may be readily replaced by new ones.

The handle l l furnishes a convenient means for carrying my duck strap by hand if desired.

I claim:

1. In a shoulder strap for carrying fowl or the like, a leather back for placing over the shoulder of a person and having a widened central section and straight and parallel end edges, D-shaped brackets at opposite ends of the back, a handle strap extending lengthwise over the back and having folded end sections passing through the .f3-shaped brackets and underneath the ends of the back, and :means passing through the folded end sections of the strap, and 'adjacent end sec tions of the back for anchoring the handle strap to the back and for furnishing supporting loops l or the brackets.

2. In a shoulder strap for carrying fowl or the likey a leather bacl: for placing over theshoulder of a person and having a -`widened Lcentral section and straight and parallel end edges, D- shape-:i brackets at opposite ends of the back, a handle strap extending lengthwise over the back and 'ha-.ving folded -end sections passing through the EJ-shaped :brackets vand underneath the Yends of Vthe back nd passing through -the -folded end secan xs the strap, and adjacent 'end sections Vci the :back .for anchoring `the fhandle strap :to the -back and `for furnishing supporting facilitated.

HERBERT A. SLEEP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references rare of .record in the 'le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 247,112 Robbins Sept. 13, 1881 `362,879 Cunningham May 10, 1887 :825,753 -vPaul July 10, 1906 1,129,627 Beauregard Feb. 23, 1915 1,511,259 Braden Oct. 14, 1924 1,631,694 Rick June 7, 1927 2,407,172 McMillan Sept. 3, E946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country 'Date 527,919 Great Britain Oct. 18, V1940 

